If we select "Empty Views Activity" while creating new project we'll get the layouts folder. If you choose "Empty activity", the layout folder will not be generated.

What's the difference between "Empty Views Activity" and "Empty Activity"? Which one should you select while creating a new project?

Select "Empty Views Activity" if you want to develop the app using JAVA. Select "Empty Activity" if you want to develop using Kotlin Language(which is now the default programming language for Android development by Google).